Ways of Getting Rid of a Slow Mac Performance

It may take a while, but even a brand-new Macbook will start to feel sluggish after you have been using it for a long time.

When that happens, you may start to consider that getting a new computer is the only solution.

That is not the case. There are multiple methods to speed Macbook’s performance. If you want to find out what they are, continue reading.

Method #1 – Restart Regularly

The first tip on the list is regular restarts. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but restarting a computer flushes RAM, stops memory leaks, fixes small errors. And after the Macbook loads after a reboot, you will notice that it is working smoother.

If you are using a computer for hours, give it a small rest every now and then by clicking on the restart button. 

Method #2 – Free Up Disk Space

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Lack of drive space is one of the most common problems behind a sudden drop in the computer’s performance. If you like to hoard files and do not bother with clearing junk that gets accumulated over time, you will experience the issue sooner or later.

Junk items like caches and old backups can be removed using cleaning software. Read the most recent reviews about such software and select one for yourself.

Deleting applications that you no longer use will also lessen the burden of the drive. Finally, you have an option to transfer some of your files to cloud-based services like iCloud. iCloud is free and offers 5 gigabytes of space.

Method #3 – Take Care of Startup Items

Applications that you install end up in the login menu and consume resources. On top of that, every time you start a computer, you have to wait for these apps to load. 

Go to System Preferences, select Users and Groups, and log in to your account. Click on Login Items and you will get a list of applications that start to launch when the computer loads. 

Untick the boxes from software and save yourself some time by not having to wait for everything to load every time. 

Method #4 – Shut Down Heavy Resource Consumers

There are applications that are running in the background but serve no purpose. Open Activity Monitor and sort processes by CPU usage. You may end up surprised by how many resources some apps are taking.

Shut the apps that are the heavy consumers and you will notice that the overall performance becomes much better. 

Method #5 – Scan for Viruses

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Even a simple virus can make it impossible to use a Macbook. Not to mention other threats like malware or ransomware.

However, despite these threats, there are still those who believe that there is no need to have anti-virus software on their computer. This thinking only makes matters worse.

Virus infections happen when you least expect them, and if you are not using the right software, you will not be able to find and get rid of the problem. Do not risk sensitive information exposure or file deletion from a virus. It is better to be safe than sorry, and having anti-virus in the background at all times ensures peace of mind.

Method #6 – Update Software

Most updates take care of themselves automatically, especially when talking about the OS. Nevertheless, there are some apps that require manual updating. Visit the app store and click on the updates tab. You will see if any of the apps you have installed have a new version.

Updates are great because new and upgraded versions fix bugs and errors on top of the new feature introduction. Performance and stability improvements are always appreciated.

Method #7 – Declutter Desktop

Some users have a bad habit of putting every icon on their desktop. But they do not realize how much of a burden it puts on the system.

Every icon consumes resources and when you switch between a desktop and another window, icons are rendered. A cluttered desktop slows things down noticeably.

If you have a lot of icons on your desktop as well, organize them into folders and move these folders into other locations. 

Method #8 – Reinstall the OS

If you are still experiencing problems with the performance, reinstalling the OS should be one of the options. It will be like a fresh start and the computer ought to perform better when you are finished with the reinstallation of the OS.

It may also be worth trying to get back to a previous OS version. If you have noticed that the performance dropped after you upgraded to a new version, chances are that going back can solve the problem.

Method #9 – Clean the Dirt and Dust

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Whether you have a Macbook or any other type of computer, cleaning dust should be a regular part of computer maintenance. All the dirt and dust that accumulates over time causes overheating, and at times, it becomes impossible to do anything on the computer. Do not neglect the cleaning part and make sure that there is a minimal amount of dirt and dust on your computer.